Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei implied that Iran's recent cooperation with the United States to reach a nuclear deal is “temporary” during a speech to government officials on April 24.[6] Khamenei may have emphasized the temporary nature of US-Iranian cooperation to assuage the concerns of hardline officials who oppose negotiations with the United States. Khamenei’s main priority is preserving the Iranian regime. Khamenei may calculate that engaging in nuclear negotiations with the United States, at least temporarily, will help preserve regime stability by improving Iranian economic conditions and reducing the chance of a direct conflict with the United States.
CENTCOM Spokesperson Dave Eastburn stated on April 24 that CENTCOM has struck over 800 Houthi targets, including command-and-control sites, air defense systems, and advanced weapons production sites, since the start of the US air campaign on March 15. Eastburn said that the strikes have killed “hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders.”[7] Eastburn told CNN that “credible open sources” have reported “over 650 Houthi casualties” in CENTCOM airstrikes since March 15.[8] Eastburn stated that Houthi ballistic missile launches have decreased by 87 percent and Houthi drone attacks have decreased by 65 percent since the start of the CENTCOM airstrike campaign.[9]
Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced on April 25 that Iran and Russia signed an agreement for Russia to export 55 billion cubic meters of gas to Iran annually via Azerbaijan.[11] Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated in January 2025 that Russian gas deliveries to Iran would start at 2 billion cubic meters per year and could increase to 55 billion cubic meters annually.[12] Paknejad added that Russia will finance the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Iran.[13] Iran and Russia will continue nuclear energy cooperation, including by completing the second and third phases of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. Iran and Russia have also reportedly signed contracts worth four billion US dollars for the development of seven Iranian oil fields.[14] These agreements reflect Iranian efforts to deepen strategic cooperation with Russia under the framework of the January 2025 Russo-Iranian Comprehensive Strategic Agreement.[15] The import of Russian gas to Iran may help Iran address chronic energy shortages, which have previously sparked protests in northeastern Iran.[16]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-april-25-2025
Tthe US pursuit of a nuclear agreement with Tehran – likely permitting Iran some level of uranium enrichment – has emboldened other regional powers to accelerate their own nuclear programs. In Egypt, construction continues on a civilian nuclear power plant in El Alamein with Russian financing and technology, part of a broader strategic partnership with Moscow. Though officially non-military, the timing is notable. Egypt's growing comfort with alternative alliances is no longer subtle.
This was further underscored in April 2025 when Egypt and China conducted an unprecedented joint military training exercise on Egyptian soil. This marks the first time Beijing has engaged in direct military drills with a major Arab military power in the Middle East. While the stated objective was counterterrorism, the symbolism is unmistakable: Cairo is expanding its security relationships eastward, signaling to Washington that alternatives exist if American commitments waver.
In the end, the United States must decide whether it still seeks to be the anchor of stability in the Middle East or merely one player among many. If the former, it must restore trust with its traditional allies – not only through arms deals and summits but by aligning its strategic choices with their existential concerns.
Nuclear diplomacy with Iran may be necessary. But if pursued without carefully managing Arab perceptions and Israel's insecurities, it risks unintentionally accelerating a new Cold War in the Middle East, one where the US is neither feared nor fully trusted and where its allies are quietly building alternatives.
https://live.jpost.com/opinion/article-851442
Iran Update, April 28, 2025
The presence of Chinese chemicals, regardless of whether the chemicals caused the explosion, further illustrates how China-based entities have likely helped Iran replenish its missile stockpile and restore key aspects of its defense capabilities. Western officials estimated that recent Chinese shipments of sodium perchlorate, if converted to ammonium perchlorate, can fuel up to 260 mid-range Iranian ballistic missiles.[19] That amount of ammonium perchlorate can also produce larger quantities of smaller munitions that require less solid fuel, including shorter-range ballistic missiles. China also remains the largest importer of Iranian oil, which undermines the US maximum pressure campaign aimed at driving Iranian oil exports to zero. Chinese assistance to Iran has likely exacerbated US military concerns with Iran and the Axis of Resistance.
The explosion at the port may further exacerbate Iran’s deteriorating economic conditions. Iran will reportedly lose approximately $25 million per day since it halted operations at the port on April 26.[20] Shahid Rajaee is Iran’s largest port and accounts for 85 percent of Iran’s shipping container traffic, including a significant portion of its oil exports.[21] The loss of the port—even temporarily—will likely worsen Iran’s economic conditions and could cause internal unrest. Iranian media reported 70 deaths and over 1,200 confirmed injuries on April 28, which may also further stoke anti-regime sentiment and unrest.[22]
The Houthis used a complex strike package combining ballistic and cruise missiles and drones to force the USS Harry S. Truman to take evasive action. It is unclear if the attack overwhelmed air defenses or how close the projectiles came to hitting the Truman. The Houthis claimed the attack on April 28, without specifying the number of systems they used in the attack.[23] The US Navy confirmed on April 28 that a US Navy F/A-18 and tow tractor aboard the USS Harry S. Truman fell overboard into the Red Sea.[24] An unspecified US official told CNN that the Truman made a “hard turn” to evade Houthi fire, which contributed to the F/A-18 and tow tractor falling overboard.[25] The US Navy confirmed that the Truman remains fully operational, and all crew are accounted for. The Houthis will continue to optimize their strike packages and implement lessons learned as part of an effort to target and ultimately impact US Navy vessels in the Red Sea.
The Iranian rial depreciated from 800,000 rials to one US dollar on April 25 to 814,000 rials to one US dollar on April 28.[57]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-april-28-2025
The Syrian General Security Services (GSS) interdicted a weapons shipment in Izraa, Daraa Province, on April 21 that was en route from Damascus to Suwayda Province.[46] GSS forces seized 40 anti-tank missiles, around 60 Iranian-made 107mm rockets, and an unspecified number of heavy machine guns.[47] GSS forces arrested a driver who had transported the weapons.[48]
Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem stated on April 18 that Hezbollah will not disarm.[85] Qassem stated that Hezbollah will “confront” anyone who tries to disarm Hezbollah.[86] Qassem’s statement comes amid an Iranian-led information operation that aims to obfuscate Iranian support for its proxies. A senior Hezbollah official recently claimed as part of this information operation that Hezbollah would be willing to disarm.[87]
The IDF killed Hezbollah Unit 4400 Deputy Commander Hussein Ali Nasser in an airstrike in southern Lebanon on April 20.[88] Nasser worked with Iranian officials to facilitate Hezbollah reconstitution by smuggling weapons and funds into Lebanon, including through Beirut International Airport. Nasser facilitated the purchase of weapons from smugglers on the Syria-Lebanon border to Hezbollah.
Senior Iranian officials continue to be concerned about a potential US or Israeli strike on Iran. Khatam ol Anbia Air Defense Headquarters Commander Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard assessed the operational readiness of the Siraf Air Defense Group and inspected the Shahid Bushehrian Air Defense Zone in Bushehr Province on April 20 and 21, respectively.[90] These visits are part of a series of inspections that Sabahi Fard has conducted to Iranian air defense sites in southern Iran in recent weeks.
The Iranian rial appreciated from 853,000 rials to one US dollar on April 18 to 828,000 rials to one US dollar on April 21.[89]
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-april-21-2025 House Armed Services Committee hearing US European Commander Cavoli
Mike Rogers Asks Military Commander: Should The DoD Maintain Current Force Posture In Europe?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZJLw90exLg
Sherrill Asks Military Official: If The War In Ukraine Ended Today, Would Russia Still Be A Threat?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVMGUCBWNpA
Mike Turner Emphasizes The Importance Of US Presence In Europe Through EUCOM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvFMGXh9n70 Putin signed the law on ratification of the strategic partnership agreement with Iran
According to the document, if one of the parties is attacked, the other should not provide any assistance to the aggressor. Russia and Iran confirm their commitment to developing military-technical cooperation and conducting joint military exercises.
Putin also agreed with Iran on cooperation in order to create an independent payment infrastructure and on facilitating cooperation between the media of the two countries to “counter disinformation.” In total, the document consists of 47 articles regulating cooperation between the two countries in all key areas for the next 20 years.
Federal Law of 21.04.2025 No. 73-FZ "On Ratification of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran"
http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202504210001